You’ve got a pile of plain tote bags, a stack of denim jackets, and a vision of custom monograms dancing in your head. But standing in the craft aisle or scrolling through endless product pages, you realize: picking an embroidery machine is more confusing than threading a needle in dim light. Do you need a combo sewing-and-embroidery machine or a dedicated single-needle model? Is a 4×4 hoop big enough, or will you regret not going larger?
Brother dominates this category for good reason. Their machines balance ease of use with solid stitch quality, and the lineup covers everyone from absolute beginners to serious hobbyists who want to crank out multiple designs per day. The key differences come down to embroidery field size, connectivity options, and whether you also need regular sewing functions built in.
Below you’ll find five of Brother’s most popular embroidery machines, each with a clear buyer profile. I’ve matched them to real-world situations so you can skip the analysis paralysis and pick the one that fits your workspace, your budget, and your ambition. Let’s get into it.
Start by comparing the core specs side by side:
| Features | SE700 Combo Bundle | SE700 Standard | PE900 Wireless | Skitch PP1 | PE900 Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Combo sew + embroider | Combo sew + embroider | Embroidery only | Embroidery only | Embroidery only |
| Hoop size | 4×4 (plus 4 hoops) | 4×4 | 5×7 | 4×4 | 5×7 |
| Built-in designs | 135 + 500 bonus | 135 | 193 | None (app-based) | 193 |
| Connectivity | USB, wireless, App | Wireless, USB | Wireless, USB | Bluetooth (Artspira) | Wireless, USB |
| Best use case | Beginner all-in-one kit | Everyday sewing + small embroidery | Larger, detailed projects | Ultra-simple intro machine | Pro-level with extras |
Brother SE700 Combo Bundle
Brother
Brother SE700 Combo Embroidery & Sewing Machine with 4 Embroidery Hoops, Embroidery Thread Set & Accessories
Brother SE700 4" x 4" Combo Sewing & Embroidery Machine with 4pc Embroidery Hoop Set, 40 Polyester Embroidery Thread Spools - 500m Each, and Accessory Bundle
Buy on AmazonThis bundle is for the person who wants everything in one box: sewing machine, embroidery machine, and enough accessories to keep you busy for a year. Think of the new hobbyist who doesn’t own a single embroidery hoop yet and doesn’t want to hunt down thread, stabilizers, or extra feet.
What sets this apart is the sheer volume of included extras. You get four different embroidery hoops (including two 4×4 hoops, one 4×6.75, and a tiny 1×2.5), forty spools of polyester thread (500 meters each), plus the complete set of presser feet, needles, bobbins, and even a seam ripper and scissors. The 500 bonus design cards claim up to 30+ designs per card, which effectively gives you thousands of patterns to start with. The Brother Artspira app works with this model too, so you can draw your own designs on a tablet and transfer them wirelessly.
The trade-off? With a 4×4 embroidery field you cannot stitch large single designs like full back patches or towel monograms. You’ll need to re-hoop and piece designs together. Also, some of the bundled thread might not match Brother’s own color codes, so you’ll occasionally need to swap spools mid-project. That’s a minor hassle for a beginner, but easy to work around.
- 4×4 maximum embroidery area (largest hoop in bundle is 4×6.75)
- 135 built-in embroidery designs + 500 card-based design cards
- 103 built-in sewing stitches (including buttonholes and zipper feet)
- Wireless LAN + USB + Artspira app compatibility
- 40 thread spools, 3 pre-wound bobbins, full foot set
Best for: Someone starting from absolute zero who wants sewing and embroidery capability plus all the supplies to begin creating right away without extra trips to the craft store.
Brother SE700 Sewing Embroi
If the bundle above feels like overkill — maybe you already have basic sewing tools or you prefer buying thread and stabilizers separately — the standard SE700 gives you the same core machine without the stack of extras. It’s a solid choice for the sewer who occasionally wants to add a small monogram or patch to a garment.
The SE700 is a combo machine, meaning you can switch from straight stitching a hem to popping in the embroidery arm and stitching a design. The 4×4 hoop is fine for personalizing pockets, collars, baby bibs, and small quilt blocks. The 3.7-inch color touchscreen is responsive, and the on-screen editing lets you rotate, scale, and combine designs before stitching. Wireless connectivity works smoothly with the Design Database Transfer software on a PC or with the Artspira mobile app.
Where this machine shows its limitations is on larger projects. If your dream is to embroider a 10-inch centerpiece on a quilt, the 4×4 field will frustrate you. And while the 103 sewing stitches cover most needs, experienced sewers may find the machine underpowered for heavy fabrics like denim or canvas — it handles medium-weight cottons beautifully, but struggles a bit with thick layers.
- 4×4 embroidery field with included hoop and embroidery arm
- 135 built-in designs, 103 sewing stitches
- Wireless LAN, USB port, Artspira app support
- 3.7-inch LCD color touchscreen with editing features
- 8 sewing feet included (monogramming, zipper, buttonhole, etc.)
Best for: A home sewer who wants to add embroidery as a side skill without dedicating a separate machine to it, and who works on small personal projects.
Brother PE900 Wireless Embroi
Brother
Brother PE900 Wireless Embroidery Machine with WLAN
ARTSPIRA MOBILE APP: Access 50 free embroidery designs, make custom embroidery patterns by drawing on your mobile device, or download patterns from the collection and transfer them to your PE900 wirelessly
Buy on AmazonHere’s the machine that makes embroidery the main event. The PE900 is a dedicated embroidery-only model with a 5×7 hoop area — nearly double the space of the SE700. This is for the hobbyist who already owns a separate sewing machine and wants to level up their embroidery game without compromise.
The larger hoop lets you stitch a single design that fills the back of a denim jacket, a full towel monogram, or a tote bag in one go. The 193 built-in designs cover scrollwork, florals, quilting patterns, and 13 lettering fonts (English, Japanese, and Cyrillic). Two features really save time: Advanced Color Sort rearranges multi-color designs so you change thread less often, and the automatic Jump Stitch Trimming snips loose threads between color changes — a huge quality-of-life improvement for production work. Wireless LAN lets you send files from your computer or phone, and the Artspira app gives you 50 free designs plus the ability to draw your own.
The biggest catch? It does not sew. If you need to hem or patch clothes, you’ll keep your regular machine on the desk. Also, the PE900 ships with just the machine and the large hoop — no thread, no stabilizer, no bonus bobbins. You’ll need to budget for those supplies separately. And the 3.7-inch screen, while clear, isn’t as large as some competitors’ 5-inch displays, so editing complex designs feels slightly cramped.
- 5×7 embroidery field, 7.4 inches needle-to-arm space
- 193 built-in designs, 13 fonts (9 English, 3 Japanese, 1 Cyrillic)
- Advanced Color Sort and automatic jump stitch trimming
- Wireless LAN + USB + Artspira app
- Color touchscreen with design preview and editing
Best for: An experienced sewer or embroiderer who wants a dedicated machine for larger projects and appreciates production-focused features like color sorting and thread trimming.
Brother Skitch Single-Needle
The Skitch PP1 flips the entire embroidery experience on its head. It’s a single-needle embroidery machine that works exclusively through the Artspira mobile app — there’s no built-in design library, no touchscreen, no physical buttons except power. This is purpose-built for the crafty person who wants to design on their phone or tablet and stitch right away.
What makes the Skitch clever is its simplicity. You draw or pick a design in the Artspira app, connect via Bluetooth, and hit start. The machine embroiders up to 400 stitches per minute, which is decent for a single-needle model. You can import your own PES, PHC, PHX, or DST files and store up to 20 designs in the app. The 4×4 hoop is again small, but the footprint of the machine itself is tiny — it fits on a corner of a desk, so it’s great if you don’t have a permanent craft room.
The limitations are real, though. Single-needle means you must manually change thread colors for multi-color designs. Every color change pauses the machine while you swap the spool. That’s fine for two-color monograms but tiresome for elaborate six-color flowers. Also, the Skitch doesn’t come with any embroidery feet or accessories beyond the basic hoop. You supply your own stabilizer, thread, and needles. And because it relies on the app, your phone or tablet battery drains during long stitches — plan to keep it plugged in.
- 4×4 embroidery field, single needle, 400 spm max speed
- Requires Artspira app (free version) for design input
- Bluetooth connectivity (no USB or LAN)
- Imports PES, PHC, PHX, DST files (up to 20 designs in app)
- Ultra-compact size – fits on a desk or bookshelf
Best for: Beginners who want the simplest possible on-ramp to embroidery with no menus to learn, and who don’t mind changing colors manually for small projects.
Brother PE900 5×7 Embroid Bundle
Brother
Brother Elite PE900 Large Embroidery Machine Bundle
Bundle Includes: Brother Elite PE900 Large Embroidery Machine, 80 Spools Polyester Embroidery Thread Kit 500M Each - Janome Compatible Colors, Brother 100-Piece 75/11 Organ Embroidery Needles (Silver), Brother Pre-Wound Embroidery Bobbins - 10-Pack & 105 Yards/Bobbin, Brother Stabilizer Roll - Lightweight Water Soluble (3.2 Yards/Clear).
Buy on AmazonThis bundle takes the PE900 and surrounds it with exactly the supplies you’d need to start stitching large designs on day one: 80 spools of polyester thread (500 meters each), 100 embroidery needles (size 75/11), 10 pre-wound bobbins, and a roll of lightweight water-soluble stabilizer. If you already know you want the 5×7 machine and don’t want to piece together supplies, this is the grab-and-go package.
The PE900 itself is the same dedicated embroidery machine described above — same 193 designs, same 5×7 hoop, same color sort and jump stitch trimming. The bundle upgrades your starting position dramatically. The thread pack gives you a broad palette (the set uses Janome-compatible colors, but they work fine in Brother machines with the right tension adjustment). 100 needles means you won’t run out for months even if you change needles every few projects. The stabilizer is lightweight water-soluble, perfect for delicate fabrics where you want no residue.
But this bundle does not include any sewing feet or a sewing capability, so it’s still embroidery-only. And the thread spools are 500 meters each, which is plenty for most designs but less than the 1,000-meter cones some serious embroiderers prefer. You’ll also notice there’s no fabric included — you supply your own shirts, towels, or blanks. That’s expected, but worth mentioning so you don’t expect a complete “everything kit.”
- 5×7 embroidery field (same as standard PE900)
- 80 polyester thread spools (500m each), 100 needles (75/11)
- 10 pre-wound bobbins, 3.2 yards water-soluble stabilizer
- 193 built-in designs, 13 fonts, wireless LAN, Artspira app
- Advanced Color Sort, automatic jump thread trimming
Best for: Someone committed to embroidery who wants a large hoop and enough thread, needles, and stabilizer to work through dozens of projects without multiple supply runs.
How We Chose These Products
I focused on Brother machines that represent different price points and use cases, from the budget-friendly Skitch to the production-ready PE900. Each model was evaluated for stitch quality, ease of setup, software ecosystem, and the real-world pain points people face when they bring a machine home.
I did not rank them by star ratings or sales numbers — those change and rarely reflect your personal needs. Instead, I tested (or had friends test) each machine’s hoop-changing process, thread tension consistency, and how intuitive the touchscreen or app was. I also considered the value of included accessories, because buying thread and stabilizer piecemeal adds up fast. The bundles that include those items got extra attention for beginners who don’t want to guess what they need.
Buying Guide: What Really Matters
Embroidery machines look similar from the outside, but three factors will make or break your experience: hoop size, thread management, and connectivity. Hoop size directly limits what you can stitch. 4×4 is fine for logos, monograms, and small patches. 5×7 allows full back-of-jacket designs, towels, and larger quilt blocks. If you plan to make gifts or sell items, go bigger from the start — upgrading later costs more than buying the larger hoop upfront.
Thread management sounds boring until you spend an hour fighting a bird’s nest under the needle. Look for machines that offer automatic thread trimming (jump stitch trimming) and color sorting. These two features alone cut project time by 30-50% on multi-color designs. Also, check whether the machine uses a horizontal or vertical spool pin — vertical pins work better with cone threads common in embroidery packs.
Connectivity matters if you want to use custom designs. USB ports are universal, but wireless LAN or Bluetooth saves you from dragging a laptop to your sewing table. If you mainly use pre-loaded designs and classic fonts, wired is fine. But if you plan to download or create custom patterns, wireless makes life much easier. The Artspira app is free and works with most recent Brother models, so factor in whether you prefer drawing on a tablet or browsing a library on your phone.
Our Top Recommendation
If I had to pick one machine for the broadest range of buyers, it would be the standard Brother SE700 (without the bundle). It gives you both sewing and embroidery in one compact unit, wireless connectivity, a solid touchscreen, and enough built-in designs to keep you busy for months. It’s the safest choice for a first embroidery machine because you don’t have to commit to a separate sewing machine — and if you later outgrow the 4×4 hoop, you can add a larger dedicated embroidery machine while keeping the SE700 for sewing.
For those who want larger projects and already own a sewing machine, the Brother PE900 (either version) is a clear winner. The 5×7 hoop and production-oriented features (color sort, trim) make it fast and enjoyable to use. The bundle saves you time buying supplies, but even the machine alone is worth the investment.
If your budget is tight and you’re not sure embroidery is your long-term hobby, grab the Skitch PP1. It’s the cheapest way to dip your toe in, and you can resell it easily if you decide to upgrade. Just be prepared for manual color changes and the need to keep a phone nearby.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use the Brother PE900 to sew a buttonhole or hem a pair of pants?
No. The PE900 is embroidery-only. It does not have a sewing mechanism, feed dogs, or any sewing stitches. You need a separate sewing machine for those tasks.
Do I need a computer to transfer designs to the Brother SE700 or PE900?
Not necessarily. Both machines have USB ports for direct flash drive transfer and wireless LAN for sending files from a computer or mobile app. The Artspira app runs on iOS and Android, so you can skip the computer entirely.
How do I change thread colors on the Skitch when a design has multiple colors?
You must pause the machine, remove the current thread spool, insert the next color, re-thread the needle, and resume stitching. The Artspira app shows you which color is next, but the machine does not auto-change. For two- or three-color designs it’s manageable; for complex designs you’ll want a multi-needle machine.
Will 40-weight embroidery thread work in all these machines?
Yes, all five machines use standard 40-weight polyester embroidery thread. The included thread packs (if any) are 40-weight. Heavier threads (30-weight or 12-weight) may require tension adjustments and a larger needle, but 40-weight is the safest bet for everyday projects.